Several Linux kernels run without a hypervisor
Summary
Hackaday presents Multikernel Linux, in which a host kernel divides up the hardware and starts further independent Linux kernels directly on bare metal. The project is called Multikernel Linux. It is not the historical microkernel-based MkLinux.
Ideas
- A host kernel divides processors and devices among guest kernels.
- The guest kernels run without classic hardware emulation.
- Separate kernels are meant to isolate faults and workloads.
- Benchmarks compare latency with KVM-based guests.
Insights
- Fewer layers of abstraction can increase performance and reduce flexibility.
- Isolation depends on correct hardware partitioning as much as on software boundaries.
- Experimental kernel architectures re-examine the assumptions of established virtualisation.
Facts
- The project is called Multikernel Linux.
- It is not the historical microkernel-based MkLinux.
- Published measurements show up to twice the performance of KVM.
Recommendations
- Test isolation with faulty guest kernels and DMA devices.
- Assess the management effort alongside pure latency.
References
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